NEW DELHI: A software engineer, who had allegedly duped a woman from Malta of about 70,000 US dollars after promising to marry her, has been arrested by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Delhi police.

According to the police, the victim had faxed a complaint to the EOW saying that a person -- later identified as Devender Ram Ratwana -- had not only cheated her monetarily but had also disappeared after promising her to marry when he came to know that she was pregnant.

The police found that Devender had met the woman during an online chat in 2002. He interacted with her over the Net for four months before proposing marriage. The woman accepted his proposal and expressed her desire to come to India. Instead, he convinced her that he wanted to visit Malta and that she should arrange for his visa and also bear the expenses for the trip.

Apart from arranging the visa, the woman sent 14,400 US dollars to Devender through online cash transfer. Devender went to Malta and spent about a month with her. She also financed his trip back home.

Devender had promised the victim that he would return soon after settling a couple of financial disputes with his relatives. Even as they remained in touch, she informed him that she had become pregnant. Devender asked to her to go for an abortion.

Meanwhile, Devender again asked her for 56,052 US dollars to set up a gymnasium for a permanent source of income. After getting the money, he even sent her fake invoices.

Subsequently, Devender severed all contact with the woman and changed his address and telephone numbers.

The woman then informed the police here. Also, she came to India with all the relevant documents and joined the investigations.

Devender kept evading arrest by constantly shifting his address, while simultaneously trying to get the FIR quashed against him. He also tried for anticipatory bail but failed.

However, following constant surveillance, the police arrested Devender a couple of days ago. The police have also seized the Santro car, which he had allegedly bought with the ill-gotten money.

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